Strategies Physicians Use to Develop Leadership Skills

Some physicians are not adequately prepared to develop the leadership skills necessary to drive effective transformation in the healthcare environment. The lack of strategies to develop these skills is a concern for both physicians and healthcare leaders, as physicians are critical stakeholders in leading healthcare transformation. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies physician leaders use to develop leadership skills to lead effective transformation in the healthcare environment. The participants included six physician leaders affiliated or employed with a leadership role in a healthcare organization in the United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and publicly accessible information. Through thematic analysis, three themes emerged: (a) strategies for developing transformational leadership skills and experience, (b) transformational leadership and organizational culture, and (c) transformational leadership skills and values. A key recommendation is that physician leaders and healthcare organizations prioritize early leadership training during residency and offer ongoing development opportunities throughout a physician’s career. The implications for positive social change have the potential to advance healthcare equity and quality and improve access to community healthcare, particularly benefiting underserved populations and communities in need.